HYDERABAD: Scenes of farmers throwing their vegetable produce on the roads or abandoning the vegetable crop in the cutting/harvesting stage in the field itself due to lack of remunerative price in the market could be a thing of the past, at least for some sections of farmers in the near future.
A city-based renewable energy solutions company has introduced solar micro coldroom in the two Telugu States at a time when the market fluctuations have forced a many a farmer throw their vegetable produce, particularly tomato, in the recent weeks.
It happens with several perishable commodities, including onion, when the prices plummet either due to market dynamics, controlled mostly by a handful of traders, or due to excess production.
Extending shelf life
The solar-powered micro cold room developed and marketed by the city-based firm was unveiled by Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture Pocharam Srinivas Reddy at the Centre of Excellence set up by the Horticulture Department at Jeedimetla here on Saturday and it would be on display for a couple of days.
When contacted, R. Kumar of the renewable energy solutions company told The Hindu that the mini coldrooms were available only in five-tonne capacity for now. “The solar mini coldrooms can extend the shelf life of some perishable commodities up to 40 to 45 days based on their quality at the time of harvest. The eco-frost system in the mini coldroom will also keep the cold system running for at least 24 non-sunny hours,” he explained.
Higher subsidy sought
The company had already supplied over 50 such systems in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra and they were working without any problem.
Their plans to introduce the product in Punjab and Haryana were in the final stage, Mr. Kumar said.
The Centre was giving 35% subsidy on such products but the farmers were seeking an increase in subsidy to at least 50%. “I will take the matter to the Chief Minister’s notice soon and with a recommendation letter from him I will meet the Union Agriculture Minister,” he explained.
